Head of Division: Research Development at University of the Witwatersrand

Position overview

• Applications are invited for the position of Research Head in the School of Oral Health Sciences.  The Research Head will provide strategic leadership for the School's research portfolio, working closely with the Head of School and in collaboration with the Assistant Dean: Research to support the achievement of the School's research objectives.
• The incumbent will drive research excellence, strengthen collaborations, increase research outputs and funding, and advance research across clinical, biomedical, translational, materials science, and population oral health domains.
• The successful candidate will contribute to positioning the School as a leader in oral health research nationally, across Africa, and globally.

Brief Description

Minimum requirements

• South African Citizens or Permanent Residence with a relevant doctoral qualification, preferably a PhD or equivalent research doctorate in oral health sciences or any closely related health field.
• Research experience of at least 5 years, or a scholarly profile demonstrably commensurate with appointment at this level.
• A relevant doctoral qualification, preferably a PhD or equivalent research doctorate in oral health sciences or any closely related health field.
• At least 5 years of post-PhD research experience with extensive experience within a university research environment, including research leadership, academic mentoring, postgraduate supervision, research performance; or a scholarly profile demonstrably commensurate with appointment at this level.
• A strong and sustained publication record, with at least 25 peer-reviewed publications, with at least first /senior authorship on 10 publications, in ISI-indexed / DHET accredited journals, or an equivalent portfolio of high-quality scholarly outputs relevant to the field with evidence of research influence, disciplinary contribution and the ability to support a high-performing research culture.
• A strong postgraduate supervision record, including the successful completion of at least 2 doctoral and 5 master’s-level candidates together with evidence of ongoing postgraduate and/or postdoctoral research mentorship
• Demonstrable experience in oral and dental research environments, supported by scholarship, collaborations or programme leadership in areas directly relevant to oral health sciences.
• Evidence of competitive grantsmanship, including successful external research funding and/or significant leadership in high-quality grant applications.
• Sound knowledge of research ethics, governance, compliance and quality assurance in a health sciences and university context.
• Excellent strategic judgement, interpersonal skills, communication, organizational capability and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor a School-wide research strategy aligned with Faculty and University priorities, while advancing relevant South African, African and global oral health agendas.
• Provide intellectual and strategic leadership to grow high-quality research across maxilla-facial, oral and dental health sciences, including clinical, material science, molecular, translational and public health.
• Stimulate and drive transdisciplinary research.
• Strengthen research productivity and quality through mentorship of academics, clinician-scientists, early- and mid-career researchers, postgraduate supervisors and research teams.
• Drive competitive grantsmanship and sustainable programme development by identifying funding opportunities, strengthening proposals, supporting fundable research pipelines and contributing to major collaborative submissions.
• Advance postgraduate research training, supervisory quality, student throughput, research publication output, and the integration of postgraduate researchers into productive research programmes.
• Build strong national and international collaborations with universities, health services, research institutes, professional bodies, funders, communities and strategic partners.
• Promote rigorous research governance, ethics, compliance, data stewardship, responsible authorship, research integrity and quality assurance within the school.
• Represent the School in relevant research structures of the faculty and advise the Head of School on research priorities, performance, partnerships, infrastructure needs and strategic investment.

Preferred attributes

• Demonstrated leadership of research teams, research programmes, multi-institutional consortia or internationally collaborative initiatives.
• A proven ability to grow research capacity, mentor developing scholars and translate research into clinical, policy, educational or societal impact.
• Editorial, peer-review, professional society, external examiner or other recognised scholarly service that strengthens the School’s academic standing.
• Experience with research planning, performance monitoring, research reporting and institutional research development.

Closing date: 31 July 2026